Sir Roger’s budget take, Kim Dotcom’s financial headaches, GrabOne founder’s next trick and China’s shadow banking risk

Finance Minister Bill English has promised yet another responsible budget. But what does that mean?

In today’s National Business Review print edition, former finance minister Sir Roger Douglas lays out some basic economic truths and asks if Mr English and Prime Minister John Key have the backbone to reject the “redistribution” path of the last 20 years.

Meanwhile, political editor Rob Hosking runs the numbers on Labour’s compulsory KiwiSaver plans, with high-income earners set to lose a large chunk of their annual cashflow.

Business reporter David Williams reports on Kim Dotcom’s financial woes, and reveals the alleged internet pirate has already exhausted a $3.6 million court-ordered legal fund before his US extradition hearing.

Shoeshine covers Mr Dotcom’s Mega proposal for a backdoor listing and why the recent history of such events should give investors some pause.

Technology editor Chris Keall details the latest venture of GrabOne founder Shane Bradley and why he and business partner Casey Eden aren’t put off by the withering fortunes of the likes of Localist and Yellow Local.

In On The Money, Michael Coote tackles  China’s financial system and why the so-called shadow banking system might be in trouble. He cites two debt defaults this month: a corporate bond issued by Shanghai Chaori Solar Energy Science and Technology and the collapse of property developer Zhejiang Xingrun Real Estate.

Meanwhile, columnist Neville Bennett explains why he has liquidated his New Zealand stock portfolio.

Primary Industries reporter Jamie Ball sits down with Fonterra chief financial officer Lukas Paravicini about juggling the expansion of its consumer brands business, increasing milk processing capacity and realigning its farmgate milk price to the Milk Price Manual.

The future of policing might be just around the corner, with the help of recently-listed software maker Wynyard Group, as police raise the possibility of “predictive analytics” to “manage” crime risks.

In Initiative Matters, Jason Krupp wrestles with the pernicious beast of property myth, which has prompted some political parties to promise a capital gains tax and a ban on non-resident foreigners buying houses.

With the Queen’s Birthday honours list just around the corner, In Tray highlights the likely candidates, including: Mrs J A Collins (gracious hostess); Messrs I Dagg and C S Jane (for allowing their bodies to be used for the advancement of medical science) and Mr K Dotcom (visionary small businessman).

Briefly:

• In Media Watch, David Cohen sees Geoff Robinson’s departure from Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report as a chance for the show to try harder and emerge from the parallel universe it has inhabited.
• In Order Paper, political editor Rob Hosking wonders what the government has to offer for the next three years, as John Key’s coalition battles the “is that it?” factor.
• In Asia Watch, Nathan Smith outlines how Edward Snowden’s intelligence leaks hurt everyone – including New Zealand.

All that and more in today's National Business Review print edition. Out now.